Many Suspects In Detention, Hundreds Of Exhibits Disrupted – Anti-Graft Agency, EFCC Reacts To DSS’ Siege On Lagos Office

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to the siege at its Lagos State office on Tuesday morning by the operatives of the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

The anti-graft agency noted that by the DSS’s denying of its operatives access to their offices, the “Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.” 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that operatives DSS stormed the Lagos office of the EFCC preventing officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Impeccable sources in both agencies confirmed that there had been an ongoing rivalry between the DSS and the EFCC over the ownership of the building.

It was gathered that the DSS operatives stormed the office around 7:00 am on Tuesday, and refused to leave despite dialogue between operatives of both agencies.

Reacting to the incident, EFCC in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, described the siege as shocking, saying it has wilder implications on Nigeria’s fight against economic and financial crimes.

“The operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.

“This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.

“By denying operatives access to their offices, the Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.

“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended. 

“Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates.

“All of these have wilder implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes.

“The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter,” the statement read.